How to be More Sustainable: 4 Steps for Beginners

You wonder, how you can be more sustainable? Do not worry: It’s not that difficult. Utopia has four steps that anyone can easily and immediately integrate into their lifestyle.

How to be More Sustainable: Drink Tap Water

Do you really nee to buy water in plastic bottles? (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash - )

Why do you buy water in plastic bottles? It’s expensive and unnecessary. Plastic water bottles and plastic packaging are contributing gravely to the mass accumulation of plastic in the ocean. Become more sustainable by drinking tap water. And go plastic free by carrying a reusable water bottle around with you.

Purging plastic bottles from your daily routine is an easy way to be more sustainable. And it is healthy, too: Tap water is one of the most highly regulated substances in the country and is typically of better quality than bottled water. And tap water is unbeatably cheap! Make it habit: Five gallons cost just a penny.

Buy Nothing – and Make it a Habit

How to be more sustainable: Buy less. Or even better: Nothing. (Photo: Utopia)

You’re off to buy more clothes, even though your closets are full of things you’ve never worn? Do you need to have the newest smartphone, even if the old one still works fine? How often do you spend money on things you actually don’t need? If you want to learn how to be more sustainable, leaving rummage in the store is the first step.

Buying nothing doesn’t cost you a dime, saves you time, can help to reduce stress, and requires absolutely no resources. Buying nothing is the simplest form of sustainability. Check out these everyday tips and tricks on How to Consume Less: 7 Steps to Greater Independence for a nudge in the right direction.

Utopia’s tip: You do not want to fall victim to “trend shopping”? Then try adopting a minimalist wardrobe. We’ll show you how you can easily sort out your wardrobe and which clothes you’ll need.

Eat Less Meat and Fewer Animal Products

Finding tasty and sustainable alternatives to animal products is easy. (Photo: Utopia / Binford)

You don’t have to cut meat and animal products from your diet entirely. Buying less and investing the difference in better quality products can already have a big impact. Consuming less milk and cheese, fewer eggs, and above all less meat leaves fewer animals suffering and reduces your carbon footprint. Adding vegetarian or vegan meals to your repertoire will broaden your palate – give it a try!

Going vegan isn’t the only option. However, cooking and baking without animal products once in a while is easy and sustainable. How about giving these recipes a try:

How to be More Sustainable: Just Do It Already

Sometimes all it takes is getting started. (Photo CC0 Public Domain / Unspalsh - Ivana Cajina)

Buy more organic groceries; start drinking fair trade coffee. Buy your next pair of jeans from a fair producer, try an organic deodorant or simply carry a tote and practice plastic-free shopping at the store. Buy less and invest the difference in quality. Have a look around a second hand shop. Plant tomatoes on your balcony. Keep your car parked.

There are so many ways to become more sustainable. Don’t be afraid, just because you think you have to be perfect from day one. Just try it already!

Trying to figure out how to be more sustainable on a budget? Here’s how: 10 Everyday Green Living Ideas: Sustainability on a Shoestring Budget.

Looking for more even more ways to live more sustainably? Check us out on social media for more tips and tricks.